Paula Deen Ducks out of ‘Today Show’ Appearance

Paula Deen was a no-show at the “Today Show" this morning, where she was due for an interview to discuss the controversy surrounding her recent discrimination lawsuit.

Deen, who is being sued for $1.2 million by a former employee of the Savannah, Ga., restaurant owned by Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers. The employee, Lisa Jackson, was previously a manager at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, and is pursuing the lawsuit on charges of racial discrimination.

In her court deposition, Deen admitted to having used racist slurs and even to having suggested planning a “Southern plantation”-style wedding with black male servers in white tuxedos.

Former “Today Show” host Al Rokertweeted this morning, “Hope Paula Deen reconsiders coming on @todayshow to talk about racial slurs she used. She is a no show so far. She has to address this.”

Current host Matt Lauer also expressed his frustrations. “Hoping to get more info on the Paula Deen situation soon. Very confusing,” he tweeted this morning, following the announcement that Deen would not appear on the show.

According to the New York Daily News, one of Deen’s representatives told Lauer that Deen was backing out because she was “exhausted.”

Shortly before noon, Deen announced on her Twitter account that she would be "releasing a video statement shortly."